Shravan Month
‘Shravan Maas' or the month of ‘Shravan' is a popular concept in the Hindu religion.It is considered highly auspicious for praying to Lord Shiva. From the religious angle this is the time of year when Lord Shiva is highly revered. The entire period is devoted to Him. It is believed that the worship of Shiva during Shrawan month is 108 times more powerful than worshipping during normal days. Millions of devout Hindus observe the Shravan Somvar Vrat- fasting and performing Pujas on Mondays in Sawan Month.However, The reason behind it lies in The famous legend of ancient times lies behind the importance of Shravan Somvar whereby you can get all your wishes fulfilled by dedicating yourself to Lord Shiva – the ‘Samudra Manthan' or the story of churning of ocean. It is said that when the ocean churned, a lot of things came out of it which were divided between ‘devtas' and ‘asuras'. However, when poison came out, nobody was ready to take possession of it. It was then that Lord Shiva, the annihilator of the Trinity of Lords, consumed the entire poison that came out of thechurning.
As a result of this, His entire body became blue and hence people starting revering Him with the name ‘Neelkanth' (means someone whose throat is blue due to poison). In the month of ‘Shravan Maas', people revere Lord Shiva for this great deed.
Every year the dates differ of ‘Shravan Maas' .This year ‘Shravan Maas' starts on 28th July and ends on 26th August.The first day of this month is highly revered by Hindu devotees of Lord Shiva throughout the country. People observe fast on this day and pray to Lord Shiva by visiting His temples. There are different ways of pleasing the Lord on this day. Mantras like ‘Om Namah Shivay' or ‘Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra' are also chanted.
Many people observe fast for this entire month and make offerings to Lord Shiva everyday. A large number of people get various Pujas for Lord Shiva performed during this period which gives very auspicious results as per our ancient texts and scripts.
Monday is the day of Lord Shiva so all Monday’s or Somvars falling in the month Shravan , when Lord Shiva, is most revered are considered highly auspicious Hence it is said, if one starts observing ‘Shravan vrat' starting from ‘Shravan somvar', his wishes get fulfilled. They please the deity by observing fasts for Solah Somvar on every Monday . On completing 16 weeks, special pujas, or prayers, are held in the honor of Lord Shiva.